where to buy...

[Liam]

There are many very reputable kilt makers, including the owner and the advertisers here. One of the special treats in the kilting world is actually going to a local kilt maker who will custom measure you for your kilt. I have one of these made by a local kilt maker here in Calgary, Linda Bratberg. It is my Clan Claus kilt and is wonderfully made. I also have 3 kilts made by Gabe Everson when he was associated with Skye Highland Outfitters. Gabe as well as Josh were great to work with. I have a Lochcarron kilt as well as a 5 yd kilt made by a Scottish kilt maker, as well as a couple of exhire kilts.
I love them all, but there is something special about getting measured and fitted for a custom kilt by the kilt maker him/herself.

[Riverkilt]

Think I've purchased 80 kilts in the last 10 years.

Hand sewn tanks come from Kathy Lare of Kathy's Kilts in Albuquerque. Did buy one from Celtic Croft on a deal that was in my size.

Utility kilts have mostly come from Utilikilts but have also bought from Freedom Kilts, AmeriKilt, and the now idle Pittsburgh Kilts

Bought my leather kilts from Rkilt and one from Utilikilts.

Bought 29 kilts from USA Kilts - casual, semi-trad, and wool 5 yarders.

And once bought three SportKilts...back when the fabric was pajama-like cotton/poly.

[Tenmiles]

I would also like to point out that there are a lot of great companies who advertise on Xmarks. You're likely going to be pleased with a kilt purchase from any of them. And when you support the forum advertisers, you support the forum, which gives us kilt wearers a great "home" on the web.

I'm glad Rocky said this, because I'll admit that even I was feeling a little awkward with the fact that there seemed to be so much commentary specifically about USAKilts, seemingly to the exclusion of the many other great kilt-makers represented here on the forums, all of whom deserve the same degree of praise as well.
I can't personally speak praise for them based on my own customer experience yet, but that doesn't leave me to suspect that they are any less worthy of respect for their workmanship (or -womanship) and quality!

[Riverkilt]

I disagree. You can have any two of price, quality, or service. I've seen many "sub-standard" kiltmakers come and go. Sadly, sometimes leaving the customer with no kilt after having paid in advance. Or sometimes with no kilt when the wedding day rolls around even though plenty of notice was given. Whatever you do - avoid middlemen. Work directly with the kiltmaker - whichever you choose. You'll save money and get better service from a kiltmaker who does business under their own name or openly links their own name to their company name.

There are many ways to assemble a kilt - from tailoring, to sewing in the old ways, to scrimping. Stories abound on this forum of quality kiltmakers teaching about ways some kilt selling companies shortcut quality when making their kilts.

Remember - many kilt selling companies are marketing to first time kilt buyers who know little and they take HUGE advantage in the process. I've stood at one rogue kilt seller's tent at the Phoenix Highland games and watched and heard him tell three different people that a tartan was their clan's tartan....same tartan....three different clans.

Educate yourself, ask questions, research, give it your best shot, and pray for success. The more you buy, the more you learn....and stay tuned to this forum....others sharing their sad tales has saved me lots and lots of money.

But don't be stupid like me either. I heard so much praise of USA Kilts it was a year before I ordered my first one. Figured no one could be THAT good. Well, they are, and I've since bought 29 USA kilts.

[Tenmiles]

No, I meant, specifically, the other folks here (which some in this thread have in fact mentioned) like Steve or Barbara or Matt, et al.
Maybe I just felt awkward about these clearly respectable and hard-working tailors being skimmed over in favor of just one name, which might lead a casual forum-reader to assume that all of the other authorized advertisers here on the forum were not worth looking into (or for those artisans to feel snubbed).

[Riverkilt]

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification. Still boils down to "Have fun - but pay attention."

[uncle remus]

to go back to Rockies comments:
It's nice to know that the competition on this site is well thought of by each other and the competition for business seems friendly. I know from things said on this site that all of the kilt makers are reputable business men and women and they harbor only good wishes for each other.

[CANADAKILT]

2 from Burnett & Struth, 1 older one from Kinloch Anderson (My first premium "tank"), one Heavyweight Wool from Stillwater, and one currently being made for me by Barbara Tewksbury.

I also have some vintage military kilts bought off of eBay, but they don't all fit me. I also collect Militaria, and that was really their intended purpose.

My next acquisition down the road will be a box pleated.

You can't go wrong buying from any of the vendors associated with this forum.

I plan on buying my kilt from Burnett & Struth. I have only spoken to them on the phone but I will be going up to Barrie soon for a visit.

[Nile]

Hag, I realize that this thread has probably run it's course but, if you are still researching where we buy our kilts, take a look at members profiles. I'm not suggesting that you sit down and go through thousands of profiles but, if you see postings of a member in their kilt, check out their profile to see if they have identified who made it. Of course, not all members list their kilts and who made them (or at least where they came from) but, many do, myself included.

Nile

[Mike S]

I plan on buying my kilt from Burnett & Struth. I have only spoken to them on the phone but I will be going up to Barrie soon for a visit.

They make a fine kilt. Many of the bespoke makers on this forum do superlative, work, often for less than the bigger guys too. Don't forget to check those sources out before you decide for certain.

Here is my latest kilt from Barbara Tewksbury, and it is truly a masterpiece:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...47#post1291747